The benchmarking activity is part of the BIO’s public communication agenda, which includes the goal of building a more effective and efficient form of digital communication and feedback mechanism, among others.
“The PIA is very much willing to help you with your needs in the field of communication and I think the PCO will also offer the same opportunity for us to help one another when it comes to promoting the programs current administration,” Director-General Jose Torres said when he welcomed the 19-person delegation led by BIO Executive Director Ameen Andrew Alonto during their visit at the PIA central office in Quezon City. Torres ws joined by PCO officials and employees.
“With our benchmarking activity, we aim to, not only share our experiences and best practices, but also learn from your unique perspective,” Torres added.
He said the PIA recognizes the “crucial role” of the Bangsamoro Information Office in “promoting effective communication and information” in the region, adding that both the PIA and BIO share “common goals” in providing “accurate, relevant and timely information” to citizens to build public trust.
For his part, Alonto shared some information about their agency and said that the activity would help them improve their public information capabilities, and at the same time, learn some of the best practices implemented by other communicators.
“The Bangsamoro Information Office was created by virtue of the Bangsamoro Administrative Code and is mandated to be the center of information and communication arm of the Bangsamoro Government,” he said.
“We are here to promote transparency, accountability and moral governance in all communication platforms available to the region,” he added.
Alonto said one of their mandates is to establish a network of information officers in BARMM and said that the PIA would be crucial in helping them strengthen it. The BIO earlier established the Bangsamoro League of Information Officers, a group composed of information officers from the different ministries and offices of the regional government.
Also among the other learnings include: media accreditation policy and engagements; guidance on the conduct of press conferences and briefings; and BIO partnership and engagement with offices attached to PCO; and possible capacity development skills enhancement support from PCO.
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is a newly-created autonomous region in the southern Philippines. The BARMM was created in 2019 through the signing of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL). The BOL establishes a Bangsamoro Government, which is responsible for providing basic services to the people of the BARMM. (PIA-NCR)
